“He’s world class at talking s—.” Adrian Granados says as he lets out a warm giggle when asked what impresses him most about Conor Benn.
The veteran Chicagoan may wish to change his answer in just over a week’s time, but for now he’s content with his assessment of his upcoming opponent.
Granados and Benn will kick off a new era for British boxing as Matchroom’s recent collaboration with DAZN is headlined by what promises to be a ferocious fight in the scarily-deep welterweight division. Benn’s progress in recent years has been admirable, but Granados believes he’s on another level to the opponents Benn is used to.
“Have they looked at my losses and think I’m the right fight to take?” asked Granados during a detailed discussion with DAZN. “My career could look so much different if the right decisions were made in my fights.
“You seen my fight with [Adrien] Broner? That should've went my way. What about my fight with Shawn Porter where I gave him all he could handle in the late rounds? The Danny Garcia fight isn’t the fight to judge me on either. I was sick going into that and made a big mistake in taking that fight for money.
“If the people looking out for Conor have just looked at my losses and not the performances then they’re in for a big surprise. I’ve competed at the highest level for a long time now and I’ve had a full camp. This will be the best version of me and you’ll see that they’ve made a mistake picking me as Conor’s next fight.”
Granados’s confidence in securing an upset victory in at Matchroom HQ next week doesn’t just come from his own ability. Despite operating on a much higher platform than Benn against the aforementioned names, Granados believes Benn’s performances have flattered him slightly.
In his last two outings, Benn has produced dominant displays against Sebastian Formella and Samuel Vargas. The latter was over in a matter of seconds and it was that display that had many within the British boxing industry believing that Benn could compete with the leading names of the talent laden 147lbs league.
“He caught Vargas cold,” insisted Granados. “I won’t make that mistake. I rate Sammy Vargas but he should’ve went in there looking to take Benn a few rounds and then turn the heat right up. He played right into his hands by approaching the fight the way he did.
“I’ve asked questions of much better fighters than Conor Benn and I’m not coming to the U.K. to make up the numbers. This is a big opportunity for me against a fighter I know they’re hyping to be the next big thing. Like I’ve said, they’ve made a mistake in picking me. This is a big moment for me and I’m taking it.”